2023-06-06 15:00:00
The World Health Organization has announced at its Headquarters in Geneva which films have won this year as part of its 4th annual “Health for All” Film Festival. During the ceremony, attended in person and online by actors, producers and public figures, the winning films, in 7 categories, and the 4 films that received special mentions from the jury were announced.
This is the fourth edition of this annual film festival and the competition was no less fierce: some 93 films addressing issues ranging from anxiety and depression to the health effects of climate change, including the health problems of people with disabilities, had been pre-selected. The films were judged by a jury of distinguished professionals, artists and activists, including acclaimed actors Sharon Stone and Alfonso Herrera, choreographer Sherrie Silver, climate activist Sophia Kianni and media personality Adelle Onyango. . Senior United Nations officials and WHO officials were at their side.
“The Health for All Film Festival puts a human face on WHO’s scientific work,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Listening to the testimonies of people affected by health problems is a very effective means of raising awareness and allows us to better understand what these people are going through, and thus to progress towards health for all,” he added.
Among the official selection, a “GRAND PRIZE” is awarded in each of the competition’s three main categories: Universal Health Coverage, Health Emergencies, and Improving Health and Wellbeing, which align with the WHO’s triple billion targets.
Sharon Stone, American actress, Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner, producer and activist for health and humanitarian causes, said:
“I am delighted to participate in the “Health for All” Film Festival. It is regarding raising awareness of crucial measures that will lead to healthier living conditions around the world. The selected films evoke the intrinsic value of health and access to health services, and argue in favor of universal health coverage. Universal health coverage is a very important right. It’s a human right, wherever you live.
Four special prizes were also awarded for: a film produced by studentsa film regarding climate change and healtha film regarding sexual and reproductive health and related rights and one very short film.
Several award-winning works this year had mental health as their theme, including a powerful and moving Swedish short film regarding anxiety and depression. This film, set to a moving soundtrack, featured a series of actors expressing anxiety at different stages and how it can manifest. The film makes it clear that we are not alone in having negative thoughts and that it is normal to admit such feelings.
Another award-winning film, from Bangladesh, shows a young boy who was exposed to lead from a local factory. This moving film details the effects this has had on her education and the work a local non-governmental organization has done to report the problem and take action to prevent lead poisoning in the affected community.
LIST OF AWARD-WINNING FILMS:
“GRAND PRIZE” CSU : « Jonathan’s Miracle Feet » – Sierra Leone/handicap, foot bot
Directed by Mamihasina Raminosoa and Nantenaina Rakotondranivo (Madagascar) for the NGO Miracle Feet/Documentary – Duration 3’19”
“GRAND PRIZE” Health emergencies : « Nurses facing Covid/On the Frontline » – Brazil/COVID-19 and access to healthcare Directed by Klimt Publicidade and the Conselho Federal de Enfermagem institution – Cofen – Brazil/Documentary – Duration 8′
“GRAND PRIZE” Improved health and well-being : « One in 36 Million: Story of Childhood Lead Poisoning in Bangladesh » – Environmental health – Directed by Mitali Das and Arifur Rahman (Bangladesh) for the NGO Pure Earth Bangladesh Documentary – Duration 6’32”
SPECIAL PRIZE Climate Change and Health : « When climate change turns violent ». – Global/Gender violence and climate change Directed by Vandita Sariya (India)/Documentary – Duration 4’32”
SPECIAL PRIZE Sexual and Reproductive Health and Related Rights : “Vulvo and Dynia” – Israel/Vulvodynia
Directed by Dina Stescovich (Israel)/Fiction – Duration 4’13”
STUDENT FILM AWARD :
« Gasping for life » – Germany/Mental health, addiction, anxiety, depression
Directed by Su Hyun Hong (Germany)/Animation – Duration 8′
SPECIAL PRIZE Very Short Film :
« Mirrors » – Sweden/Mental health, depression
Directed by Paul Jerndal (Sweden)/Fiction – Duration 3′
FILMS RECEIVED A SPECIAL MENTION FROM THE JURY:
Special Mention Health Emergencies :
« My roots: Mayas during Covid-19 » – Guatemala/COVID-1
Directed by Ángela Lucrecia Chiquin (Guatemala)/Documentary – Length 3’11”
Special mention Improved health and well-being :
« Love Shades » – Worldwide/Mental health, depression and empathy Produced and directed by Pratick Paudel (Nepal)/Fiction – Duration 5’51”
Special Mention Climate Change and Health :
« Freedom to breathe: a child’s right to breath clean air » – Global/Asthma and air pollution Directed by Georgette Thomas (United Kingdom)/Documentary – Duration 5’39”
Special Mention Very Short Films :
“I am naked/Je suis nue” – France/invasion of privacy; Mental Health ; Emotional violence once morest women Directed by Alexandra Mignien (France)/Fiction – Duration 2’20”
To learn more regarding the official selection and composition of the jury, and to watch the films and the awards ceremony, please visit the page:
Media Contact: Gilles Reboux, WHO Film Festival Manager, at [email protected].
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